Signed legislation brings Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority into being

The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority – the governance needed for devolved decision-making powers and funding to flow from Whitehall to local decision-makers in Devon and Torbay – is now official.

The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA) – the governance needed for devolved decision-making powers and funding to flow from Whitehall to local decision-makers in Devon and Torbay – is now official.

It means that decisions, previously made in Whitehall, will now be made locally on priority issues, including housing, jobs and skills, transport and the economy.

Members in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords have debated the regulations required to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority. And yesterday, the Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Jim McMahon, signed the legislation on behalf of the Secretary of State, under power delegated by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, legally bringing the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA) into being from today, Wednesday 5 February 2025.

The members of the Devon and Torbay CCA will meet formally at the inaugural meeting on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at the offices of West Devon Borough Council in Tavistock.

The CCA members are drawn from Devon County Council, Torbay Council, Devon’s District/City/Borough Councils. The Police and Crime Commissioner is also a member alongside a representative from the business community and skills providers.

The Devon and Torbay CCA will be responsible for making decisions about the powers and funding devolved to it from Whitehall through the devolution deal that was agreed in January 2024.

Councillor David Thomas, Chair-elect of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority said:

“We have always said that this is the start of our devolution journey and will seek to make the most of the broader and more comprehensive framework being promised by the Government.

“The Devolution Deal will give us and our residents and businesses a stronger voice with Government. It gives us the opportunity to influence those policies that affect the lives of those that live in Torbay and Devon.”

Councillor James McInnes, Vice Chair-elect of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority said:

“This is a monumental day that changes the relationship that local government in Devon and Torbay has with Whitehall.

“The forming of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority is the starting point that will see the two local authorities working together alongside Team Devon colleagues, Police and Crime Commissioner and the business community to tackle the things that matter most to residents such as housing and homelessness; and climate change.”

The establishment of the Devon and Torbay CCA is distinct and separate to other government announcements in relation to local government reorganisation and the formation of Strategic Authorities. The Devon and Torbay CCA will progress in parallel with the government’s plans to reform local government, although both are seen as instrumental to devolving decision-making powers and funding from Whitehall to local areas.